The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including degenerative disc disease of the lumbar and cervical spine, radiculopathy of the lower extremities, tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss, residuals of a fracture of the nose, chronic rhinitis, and temporomandibular joint dysfunction, have combined to preclude locomotion without the aid of braces, crutches, canes, or a wheelchair. As such, he is eligible for specially adapted housing.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's service-connected disabilities combine to require him to use a cane, walker, scooter, and wheelchair to ambulate due to his back and lower extremity conditions.
- Claimed conditions
- Degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, Degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine, Radiculopathy of the left lower extremity, Radiculopathy of the right lower extremity, Tinnitus, Bilateral hearing loss, Residuals of a fracture of the nose, Chronic rhinitis, Temporomandibular joint dysfunction
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 70%
- Decision date
- August 13, 2015
- Citation
- 1534676
This is a plain-language summary generated by AI from a public Board of Veterans’ Appeals decision. It can contain errors — always verify against the original. Look up the original decision on VA.gov (opens in a new tab) using citation 1534676.
What this means for you
A grant means the Board agreed the veteran was entitled to the benefit. Decisions like this show the kind of evidence and arguments that tend to succeed for claims like it.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine, finding that there is no nexus between the current disability and active duty service.
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are not related to his military service.
- Denied
The Board denied extraschedular ratings for the Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine and lower extremity radiculopathy disabilities, as well as a total disability rating based on individual unemployability prior to February 3, 2011.
- Granted
The Veteran's claim for a low back disorder was reopened, and his claims for increased ratings of bilateral knee instability were granted. His hearing loss claim was denied.
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